Hand Prosthesis Projects 2015 #makerspace

This week was a major building week with the 7th grade at SJRS. We are studying bones and muscles  as part of our Human Body curriculum.

For this assignment, students were asked to create and build a prosthesis that simulated the grasp and release of the human hand, using a pull and release of one string.

The project was a challenge for most of the kids, and all had some measure of success. In the end I had the kids make a personal learning statement about what they learned about themselves in this process. All were able to say that they learned something about their ability to try something different, work with a partner, or work independently. Several mentioned that they did all of the work, while their partner watched or contributed very little, to which the partner agreed.

This project not only allows for students to understand the complexity of how bones, muscles, tendons and nerves work together to allow the human hand to grasp and release, it also provides students with experience in building something from nothing and succeeding.

2016 Primary News from around the world

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31523210


http://www.wmur.com/politics/scott-walker-hires-staff-in-new-hampshire-as-he-eyes-white-house/31336896?absolute=true

http://www.wmur.com/politics/clinton-consults-warren-before-likely-16-run/31317620?absolute=true

http://www.wmur.com/politics/us-sen-marco-rubio-outlines-upcoming-nh-visit/31375902

http://www.wmur.com/politics/vice-president-joe-biden-to-visit-new-hampshire-next-week/31360418

NH Primary, if you impress here, you have a chance.

http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20150211/NEWS0605/150219714/0/UL#sthash.PdzPkSjT

With one year to go before centennial of Primary, analysts say the race is about to heat up | New Hampshire

With one year to go before centennial of Primary, analysts say the race is about to heat up | New Hampshire


Newspaper articles will be added in here as the Primary season progresses.

The NH Primary - A Year of Change - February 2015, part 2

Toots and I took a trip to the college yesterday. Boy has it changed from the last time that we visited on New Year's Day. The biggest change is the huge amount of snow that has piled up over the past two weeks with almost continual snow storms here in NH.

Primary wise, one of events that the college was hosting had to be canceled last Monday due to a snow storm that contributed at least 10 inches of snow to the local piles. This Monday has the same forecast, so probably not much going on for now.

Several candidates have plans to visit New Hampshire in the not to distant future, it will be interesting to see who Toots and I spot first.

The photos below are close to the same spots that we photographed in January, within a few feet or so  due to the snow banks or the falling ice off of the administration building. We added the photo of the statue of St. Benedict because it looked interesting with the pile of snow on top of his book.

The NH Primary - A Year of Change - February 2015

Today is February first, and we have not yet gone out for our photos at the college, mostly due to the cold and excess snow drifts from yesterday's wind storm. Boy was it cold in the wind yesterday, with windchill well below zero.

Presidential primary wise, a few things have happened this week. Mitt Romney (known as Mittens, in hour house) has said he is not throwing his hat into the ring for the 2016 Presidential election. Bowing out early, and throwing some jabs at other Republicans on his way out the door.

The NH Union Leader and NH Sunday News, has stated that several Republicans have plans to be in NH soon to begin courting the public in hopes of gaining support. Not much has been heard from the Democrats as of yet, but then again the NH statewide newspaper has been know to take sides in politics.

Toots and I should be out taking photos pretty soon, if not today, possibly after the snow storms due tomorrow and later this coming week.

The NH Primary - A year of change - January 2015

Since I live close to St. Anselm's College where a large number of news media stations and reporters set up for the events related to the NH Primaries, I decided that it would be interesting to study the changes that occur on the college campus over the course of the year.

No candidate has of yet stated that they are seriously running for President in 2016, many have made 'exploratory' tours of New Hampshire and other states to see if a run is in the cards for them.

On January 1st 2015,  I took my dog Toots for a walk through St. Anselm's College to take a series of photos. It is our goal to return to the same spots monthly as the year progresses, and to go back on days when events are taking place for more photos.

The college is one of our favorite walking spots, so this should not be too difficult, nor a chore.

Below are our first series of photos along with a video that we took from the quad in front of the administration building. We will take a similar video from the same spot each month.

Toots looking up from the parking lot toward the Dana Center.

The lower quad outside of the Dana Center

Left side of the quad in front of the administration building.

Over the shoulder of the saint, looking towards Manchester.

Right side of the administration building, including the round church behind the flag poles.

Facing the gym, and Manchester.

Side view of the gym walkway.

Facing to the right on the quad in front of the administration building.

Facing left of the gym.